THE STUDENT FILMS (2)

IMPASSE

A group of four friends meet at a coffee shop to talk about their failures as immigrants in a country that was supposed to be full of promise. Sabah (Nabila Ben Youssef) is on an endless search for a new place to live and work, Rami (Azam Fouk Aladeh) is about to lose his job, Salim (Rami Hanna) is without papers and finally, Monia (Linda Abou Khalil) is struggling to shed her Arab identity. They are all frustrated by the shortcomings of their new lives. This portrait of Arab immigrants begs the question of whether or not one should return to one’s home country in the face of the defeat of one’s original dreams of success in a new land.

UNSINKABLE

In Unsinkable, a 16 year-old girl moves from Louisiana to Quebec to live with her Aunt and Uncle after devastating natural events have brought about the deaths of her parents. Julianne’s next-door neighbor is a crucial figure in helping her adapt to her new life, while allowing her to tell her painful story. Her outpouring of emotion clarifies her particular situation and helps to relieve some of the guilt that frequently accompanies the death of a loved one.

IN THE SHACK

In an ever shrinking world, living in a town that’s going nowhere are two girls who have never been anywhere. On a day like any other Jen (Elyn Kohlap) and Aimie (Emily Desormeaux) are up to their usual distractions; booze, pot, and hanging out ‘In The Shack’. Something starts to brew and with charging momentum they begin to hash a plan to do something, to go, to get out, take off, then Mr. Dubrueil (Haa Lord) walks in and snuffs the flame of their spontaneity.